ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
United KingdomAnything I'm missing?

Subject of the email was US Visa Personal Courier-In Instructions

 

It was sent to fiancee, not me, as it was sent under the profile she registered when she paid.


CLMIKEMaleUnited Kingdom2014-05-07 15:19:00
United KingdomAnything I'm missing?

Found it.  She got online.  One barcode.  She will print it.  

Email 4. US Visa Personal Courier-In Instructions was dead on.  Did have to make it "show" the image though for it to appear for security reasons on her AOL.


CLMIKEMaleUnited Kingdom2014-05-06 14:46:00
United KingdomAnything I'm missing?

Ah ok.  Well you can ignore the PM then ha ha.  I'll have her look for it.

 

She wasn't sharing her screen, so I'm not really sure what all she did and did not print.

 

Thanks for that help.  Engineer in me is kicking in on all the details


CLMIKEMaleUnited Kingdom2014-05-06 14:31:00
United KingdomAnything I'm missing?

So it's something different then from the receipt you can print from the website where you pay?  Because that receipt has no barcode.


CLMIKEMaleUnited Kingdom2014-05-06 14:17:00
United KingdomAnything I'm missing?

Likewise for me, I'm sure you'll be fine on Friday! Very easy experience today, I even forgot to print off the courier page (with two barcodes) but was fine. Must have had a lenient interviewer!

 

Courier page with two barcodes?

 

I was told the only item with barcodes was the DS 160.  Can you elaborate on what you mean by courier page?


CLMIKEMaleUnited Kingdom2014-05-06 14:07:00
United KingdomReceived Interview Letter... No Interview Date?!

I usually email/contact them by this link

http://london.usemba...ntact_form.html

 

And have received an answer in 24/48 hours every time.


CLMIKEMaleUnited Kingdom2014-05-07 11:13:00
United KingdomFinacee interviews on Monday

Read your review.  And about 200 others since September (:))

Glad you got approved.  I'm confident she will be fine.  She just get's so nervous, I could see her answering a question wrong ha ha

 

Where does your fiancee live.  Missouri!  No wait that's where he's born...Arkansas!  Yeah Arkansas!  Gah so nervous.

 

The whole denial of a B2 visa due to not having strong enough home ties to England in July really really scared her.  We know it won't affect the k1, but it's still something that was a bit traumatizing to her, so she's going to worry.  Her mom is going to go with her and wait at the starbucks or something near the embassy, and she's staying the night with her nan and mum to relax, so I'm praying for the best :)

 

Can't wait to be hung over for work at the plant on Tuesday cause I partied on Monday


CLMIKEMaleUnited Kingdom2014-05-11 15:24:00
United KingdomFinacee interviews on Monday

Well if you guys need another person to nervously chat with, I'm sure my fiancee wouldn't mind a friendly chat.  

 

Tall, skinny, pale complexion, almost shoulder length dark brunetteish hair with (assuming she wears them) glasses.  She'll have a black binder as well.

 

She's so nervous that she's going to goof and get a question wrong, no matter how many times I remind her it's not an interrogation but a friendly chat :).

 

Feel free to say hi to her if you want.  I'm Michael (won't be there), aka CLMIKE, and her name is Michaela.


CLMIKEMaleUnited Kingdom2014-05-11 13:26:00
United KingdomFinacee interviews on Monday

Anyone else got an interview on Monday as well?


CLMIKEMaleUnited Kingdom2014-05-11 00:16:00
United KingdomApproved (still a lingering question though)

Fiancee says this lady wasn't Asian on window 1.  Fiancee insists though to not paint her in a grumpy light.  She was more of a not very helpful or aware of everything that might be needed.

 

Ah well, it's over, we're approved, and it doesn't matter in the end :)  And it's almost time to hit the bar to celebrate.   :clock:


CLMIKEMaleUnited Kingdom2014-05-12 16:08:00
United KingdomApproved (still a lingering question though)

A few other brief comments:

 

  1. They did not know anything about taking an older passport.  She offered it to the lady at window 1, who had no clue what to do with it and said I don't need this so she kept it
  2.  Lady at window 1 managed to "hide/lose" her passport, so when she asked for it after my fiancee already gave it to her she panicked a bit thinking OH GOD only for the lady to find it and go never mind.  Great...
  3. Lady at window 1 confused her and asked if she'd ever changed her name.  My fiancee paused, because technically she had not, her name was hyphened, but for the first 24 years of her life she didn't realize her name was hyphened so she thought she had two middle names.  Now she goes by the hyphened name.  When she paused the lady behind the window grilled her on why she just hesitated, so she explained and then it was fine.  Still it kind of surprised my fiancee for that question.  I figure it was lady at window was looking to see if she required a deed poll.
  4. Lady at window 1 had no clue what the DX bar-code was.  Just accepted the MRV receipt we printed by email.
  5. Lady at window 1 was kind of rude.  When my fiancee kept trying to offer her other potentially needed forms of evidence, etc, was told "you're not listening".  Glad I wasn't there I'd have had to bite my tongue.
  6. Lady at window 1 asked if she had done previous travel either by visa or visa waiver program.  Fiancee answered she traveled by ESTA, was enough for her to accept that answer
  7. Four questions asked were:  how did you meet, how many times have you travelled and he travelled, were you both married before, when did you decide to get married
  8. she was in and out by 9:45

CLMIKEMaleUnited Kingdom2014-05-12 14:59:00
United KingdomApproved (still a lingering question though)

Wait.  You are right Nich it is in Mobile.  But then I got the update browser as well when I clicked desktop.  But I had the option to click and continue anyway and it still worked.  

 

The browser you're using may not support all features of the desktop version of Google Drive.

Continue to desktop version

 




CLMIKEMaleUnited Kingdom2014-05-12 10:55:00
United KingdomApproved (still a lingering question though)

Link worked for me.  I printed it out just fine.  Thank you Nich :)

 

As for POE, I was more curious than anything, because I'm going to fly to England to help her prepare for the move, and she and I will fly back together.  I'm hoping I can be with her during the ordeal.

 

I think I read on the boards though there's no ESTA, and we're to tell the lady when checking in for the flight at either Delta or American Airlines that we are flying in on a K1 visa instead of Esta if they ask.

 

That's still correct right?


CLMIKEMaleUnited Kingdom2014-05-12 10:44:00
United KingdomApproved (still a lingering question though)

Fiancee was approved this morning.

 

Pros:

  • Approved
  • Easy questions (when did you first discuss marriage, how many times had you been to america, how did you meet, etc)
  • Approved
  • Was over prepared, and in and out relatively easy.
  • Approved  (I like this one)

Cons:

  • Didn't get the famous African american lady everyone raves about, got Mr. Series professional dude
  • They kept both the certified copy and regular copy of the police certificate.  Fiancee says they told her her forms would be in the envelope with her passport.  Seems odd, will probably just advise her to buy another certified copy.
  • Mr. Professional did not give her the info on adjustment of status or tell her what to do on port of entry.  Just was like you're approved and that's it.  Nich:  Any PDF's out there with the same info she was supposed to get after getting approved?
  • Lady at first booth said we had too much info (ha ha).  She got confused when Fiancee was giving her evidence, receipts, new fiancee letter, offering her old passport, etc etc.  Guess this can be a pro as well.

Little disappointed in the inconsistency in how the interviewer was compared to all the other excellent reviews of the other lady, but that disappointment is nothing compared to the excitement of knowing she got approved.

 

Thanks for all the help.  I'm sure I'll be sticking around the boards.  I'll need all the AOS info as well :)  I'd hit the bar already to celebrate, but the whole job thing kind of slows that down.


CLMIKEMaleUnited Kingdom2014-05-12 08:48:00
United KingdomAttending the interview in London

 

No she wouldn't be allowed. Only petitioner are allowed in with Beneficiary she'll have to wait wherever they wait outside or waiting rooms or whatever.

 

We emailed the embassy about this back in January as well to clarify, as there are some visa's that do allow a parent, but K1 is not one of them.

 

So her mum waited at one of the coffee shops nearby.  My fiancee showed up early to wait in line (by 7:00) and was out in 90 minutes so the wait wasn't that bad for her mom.


CLMIKEMaleUnited Kingdom2014-05-15 12:54:00
United KingdomInterview on Thursday!!

Well I didn't co-sponser.

 

I sent fiancee

 

Letter from employer
Letter from bank
4 years worth of IRS tax returns
5 pay stub scans
bank account statements



W2s
etc

 

And all they wanted was letter from bank and letter from employer.  So basically I sent her to much evidence ha ha.


CLMIKEMaleUnited Kingdom2014-05-12 17:56:00
United KingdomInterview on Thursday!!

Looks good.  We had all that and old passport *but were not asked for*

 

We got approved today.

 

If your NOA 2 expiration date as passed you'll need a new Fiance letter of intent notarized, but you've probably already thought of that and didn't need it :)


CLMIKEMaleUnited Kingdom2014-05-12 17:42:00
United KingdomCase creation date changed

This worry was all for nothing.  It went to issued today.  Not bad, about a week after interview it went from Ready to AP to Issued.


CLMIKEMaleUnited Kingdom2014-05-19 08:47:00
United KingdomCase creation date changed

That's not that bad though.  It took them about 5 business days after it said issued to send you the tracking.  

 

I'll keep that in mind on our case as well


CLMIKEMaleUnited Kingdom2014-05-15 12:51:00
United KingdomCase creation date changed

Ha that's funny.  28 minutes to the dot after I mildly voice my concern that it's still at ready it goes to Administrative processing.

 

Woot


CLMIKEMaleUnited Kingdom2014-05-15 09:00:00
United KingdomCase creation date changed

At least yours changed to Administrative processing.  Her's has been stuck at ready since the interview on Monday.

 

If it's not at Administrative processing by Monday morning I'll probably email them.  Ugh


CLMIKEMaleUnited Kingdom2014-05-15 08:30:00
United KingdomCase creation date changed

Ah ok good.  Did you guys/girls get emails when it went to Issued from the embassy that it shipped with the tracking info?


CLMIKEMaleUnited Kingdom2014-05-14 13:25:00
United KingdomCase creation date changed

So this is odd...or maybe not, hopefully someone else knows.

 

My fiancee's case creation date changed...is that normal?  She had her interview Monday and was approved.

 

U.S. Department of State
NONIMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION
Ready

 

Case Creation Date: 14-May-2014 Status Updated Date: 14-May-2014

 


CLMIKEMaleUnited Kingdom2014-05-14 10:54:00
United KingdomWhat happens if you miss interview?

I'm so excited.  The potential!


CLMIKEMaleUnited Kingdom2014-05-23 10:03:00
United KingdomWhat happens if you miss interview?

I'm not going to lie, I kind of what to know what the plan is after a comet hits the embassy as well.

 

But not for visa reasons, but for survivalist reasons.


CLMIKEMaleUnited Kingdom2014-05-22 11:55:00
United KingdomWhat's your back-up plan?

And for the record, as someone who provided that link, I'm not too woried about my situation either.

 

The engineer and eagle scout in me is always "Be Prepared".  So I did my research and found that article, which I will admit, after I read the first time made me go ZOMG.  But then I realized it was from 2006, and stopped worrying so much.  One of us (her and me) needed to be strong.  And since she was the one doing the interview, it needed to be me to be that rock to keep her sanity.

 

The article I posted was never meant to cause fear, concern, or anything.  This site has been waaaay to helpful for me to pander or troll it ha ha.


CLMIKEMaleUnited Kingdom2014-05-07 17:09:00
United KingdomWhat's your back-up plan?

Ok after reading the link I have more worries. When I flew out to England in April 2012 to meet in person for the first time after knowing each other online for 4 years previous we did get engaged the last day of my visit. After that he's had three visits to the USA to see me.

 

Just relax.  The link, again, is 7 years old.  There's no telling how much has changed.

 

If anything, just know ok, if this doesn't work, even though it should have, I should probably find out why.  And in my case, if it doesn't work out, I'll just hire a lawyer and ask for help.


CLMIKEMaleUnited Kingdom2014-05-07 11:35:00
United KingdomWhat's your back-up plan?

While I truly 100% believe this potential worry would have no merit, it was something I did research earlier.  The engineer in me wanted to know.

 

I found this article.  Granted it is from 2006.  But it did warn against just ignoring the K1 denial and marrying.  Because I'm not a lawyer, and i don't know if this article is true, or full of horse manure, personally, if for some reason my fiancee is denied on her interview on Monday I will do the following:

A.  Drink heavily
B.  Deep sorrow with friends
C.  Ask for a scan of whatever the embassy gave her
D.  Hire an immigration lawyer for help to ask for my next step




 

The article I was referring to is here.  Again take it with a grain of salt.  It might not be true anymore.  

http://www.ilw.com/a...0323-ellis.shtm

 

Personally though, I'm already planning a major celebration on Monday when I get the good news.  She has every form she needs, and every form she doesn't.  And we've been in a relationship for 7 years.  As long as she remembers my name is Michael and I'm an Engineer in Arkansas with no siblings instead of telling them I'm Frank, a fisherman from Alaska of a family of 12 I think I'll be fine.


CLMIKEMaleUnited Kingdom2014-05-07 11:06:00
United KingdomI-94 question

Thanks Nich

 

If you were in my shoes, would there be anybody at USCIS, or DOS, or god knows who you'd email asking for clarification?

 

I got time to get an answer, just trying to learn all I can.


CLMIKEMaleUnited Kingdom2014-05-30 20:30:00
United KingdomI-94 question

Quick question

 

I'm trying to do lots of research to prepare for my fiance's trip to America.  In all my research, I understand the importance of ensuring they spell her name right at POE and to confirm she will be in the SAVE database so two weeks later when we apply for SSN, we hopefully won't have issues.

 

However, I've discovered a question in regards to that.  Perhaps Nich or another expert will know.

 

My fiancee has an hyphenated last name.  Visa's are not issued in hyphens.  So her last name, while on her passport that says name1-name2 it shows last name name1 name2 on the K1 visa.  I have emails from the embassy saying special characters can not be in a visa.

 

Ok fine.

 

But what name should they enter when she's at POE to show up in the SAVE database?  The name on the K1 visa?  Or the name on the passport?  And what name should she put on the I-94?

 

That's just what I need for SSN office to require extra processing because her birth certificate has a hythen, her passport has a hyphen, her K1 has no hyphen, etc etc.

 

What's the best way to minimize the confusion?

 

I was thinking I-94 should be with hyphen, and just bring the email from the embassy saying visa's can't have special characters, but wanted second opinion.

 

Thanks

Regards

 

Michael


CLMIKEMaleUnited Kingdom2014-05-30 17:55:00
United KingdomWhat are your wedding plans/timelines?

We were originally going to do an elopement, because her family didn't realize the timeframe we had here (many flights = $$$), so we'd elope, then two separate receptions later on .  But then her parents decided yes we are going to come and see this, so we've changed it to mini full blown wedding (my parents, her parents (who have never meet...oh boy ;)) and us).  Didn't make sense for her parents to fly 8-10 hours just to see a 30 minute elopement.

Considering Big Cedar Lodge in Branson Missouri in October.  Still finalizing all the contract stuff.


CLMIKEMaleUnited Kingdom2014-06-01 12:57:00
United KingdomAdvice on 90 days during K1

I would certainly call them to confirm. I was married in indiana and their website says the same thing but when we called we were told it only applies if you have one. I only needed to take my passport as proof of identity and got married without any problems.

 

 

Called the recorder of deeds today.

 

She told me that if she did not have a social security number, that she would just need to sign a piece of paper saying she didn't have one and everything else would be fine.

 

We'll still bring passport and other items just in case. :P

 

She also said we could hand deliver the signed paperwork by the officiate afterwards to get a copy of it for AOS sooner.


CLMIKEMaleUnited Kingdom2014-06-02 09:26:00
United KingdomAdvice on 90 days during K1

Your visa requires you to marry within 90 days. It has no AOS requirement date. Nobody will come looking for her on Day 91. You can submit AOS on Day 120 and still get a greencard, no hassles. After a year (I forget the time actually) you might be required to submit an I-130 spouse petition with the AOS.

 

Ah ok.  I figured so.  I know I also need to be considerate of the medical date, and should at least submit the AOS before the 12 month gap of her first medical was to ensure we don't have to pay a civil surgeon to do that all over again.

 

Thanks for the clarification.

 

I still plan on submitting by day 90 or close to it, but after getting burned last July on a B2 visa by not knowing everything beforehand (which ended up her being denied the B2 and not able to visit on ESTA (very heartbreaking) I'm just making damn sure I know all I can :)

 

You guys and gals are great as always.  And Nich, with as much as you know, why the heck are you not an immigration lawyer on the side :P


CLMIKEMaleUnited Kingdom2014-06-01 13:22:00
United KingdomAdvice on 90 days during K1

Ok maybe I'm confused.

 

I thought, and please, do correct me when I'm wrong here, that once you entered the country you had 90 days to get married.

 

If you didn't get married, then she/he would have to go back to their home country and you have to do this all over again.

 

Once you did get married, before the end of the 90 days, you had to at least submit the AOS paperwork, otherwise at the end of the 90 days she was technically no longer legally in the country...

 

if that's not the case, what happens then if you get married before the 90 days but don't submit the paperwork for AOS until like, I don't know, day 120?


CLMIKEMaleUnited Kingdom2014-06-01 12:53:00
United KingdomAdvice on 90 days during K1

I would certainly call them to confirm. I was married in indiana and their website says the same thing but when we called we were told it only applies if you have one. I only needed to take my passport as proof of identity and got married without any problems.

 

Thank you for the advice.  (Not enough people do that on here these days :))


CLMIKEMaleUnited Kingdom2014-05-30 20:32:00
United KingdomAdvice on 90 days during K1

You do not need a SSN to marry.

 

Well this is what I was reading and thought it was required.

 

What would you recommend?  Calling my local recorder of deeds?

 

http://www.mo.gov/ho...rriage-divorce/


CLMIKEMaleUnited Kingdom2014-05-30 20:17:00
United KingdomAdvice on 90 days during K1

Hi, sorry for another thread, but I'm trying to make sure I have everything lined out before we start booking flights.

 

Our current wedding plan is October 5th. 

 

Miscellaneous notes

 

  • In Missouri, you have to have a social security number to get a license to marry  (not sure if immigration changes this requirement any)
  • If we wait 2 weeks before we apply for social security card, that's 14 days.
  • It takes I believe up to 2 weeks to get the social security card in the mail.  Another 14 days.  28 days total.
  • After you marry, it can take up to 2 weeks to get a certified copy of your marriage certificate.
  • You need a copy of your marriage certificate for the Adjustment of status paperwork
  • You need to submit the adjustment of status paperwork before the 90 days is up

 

So would this be the correct route to go?

Day 1:  POE
Day 14:  Apply for SSN
Day 15:  Ask at least for SSN (while waiting on card)



Day 28:  Hopefully get SSN card in mail
Day 29:  Apply for marriage license
Day 45:  Marry
Day 61:  Hopefully receive certified copy in mail


Day 65:  Submit AOS

Is that enough time?  Has anyone else in Missouri got a marriage license without having the SSN card yet?

 


CLMIKEMaleUnited Kingdom2014-05-30 19:48:00
United KingdomThings you'll miss from the UK, and how you'll compensate?

As an american, I know the things I miss the most when I leave England are

Nandos

Flying Saucers.

 

I can buy the Nando's sauce, but importing flying saucers can be a challenge.  And pricy


CLMIKEMaleUnited Kingdom2014-05-12 16:02:00
United KingdomOne way ticket

We took the easy way out on her ticket.  Redeemed 45,000 AA miles and only paid 200 dollars in taxes.


CLMIKEMaleUnited Kingdom2014-06-27 10:44:00
United KingdomPreparing for leaving the UK: Final checklist

 

If she plans to go to school she will have to have her qualifications transcribed into something US colleges understands.

She will have to use the services of an International Credential Evaluater.

Such as World Education Services Inc. www.wes.org, Be prepared to drop a few $100 for this service.

.

 

Thanks

 

I figure we'll need to do this.  She hasn't quite decided what she wants to do with her psychology degree.  She loved volunteering at the nursery, so she's considering pursuing what requirements are needed to teach Kindergarten.  

 

Frankly, as long as she's here, and happy, I could care less what job she has :)


CLMIKEMaleUnited Kingdom2014-08-06 15:09:00